Quick Hits: Braves, Nakajima, Braun, Cespedes

On this date two years ago, the Mariners traded Bill Halland a player to be named later to the Red Sox for Casey Kotchman. Here's a look at tonight's links..

Braves GM Frank Wren has a knack for dealing for players with little trade buzz, and Angels infielder Maicer Izturis would fit that bill, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima's issue with the Yankees offer was not the dollar figure but rather the length of the contract, according to a report from Sponichi (Japanese link). Nakajima wanted to become a free agent after one year while the club wanted standard control (six years) over him. Special thanks to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker for the translation.

There are no fewer than six teams, and perhaps even more, that are seriously in on Yoenis Cespedes, tweets Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel.

Reliever David Aardsma has started throwing but will wait until he's further along in rehab before pursuing his next contract, agent Jamie Murphy told ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter). Aardsma, 29, underwent Tommy John surgery in July.

Right-hander Peter Moylan has had discussions with a few teams, including the Braves, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If all things are equal, Moylan would prefer a return to Atlanta.

I hoped they’re more in on Cuban OF Jorge Soler who isn’t getting the same kind of attention, but many feel like he could be a bigger talent.

Fact is, this is an incredible risk that ATL can’t afford to take this season – maybe next. Remember the last time we signed an international free agent to a MLB deal? A: Kenshin Kawakami. Not pretty. Yes, Cespedes and Soler are a different situation, but Cespedes will reportedly get $45-$50M. That’s insane for someone who doesn’t project to be in the majors for 1-2 years, at least.

From what I’ve heard, Soler is getting just as much, if not more, interest than Cespedes. Soler is younger, cheaper with a high potential ceiling and all the teams that are going to be priced out on Cespedes will be all over Soler. I’m just glad Texas signed Guzman and Mazara last offseason and can avoid the bidding frenzy. Two guys with just as much potential as Soler, for 1/2 the price.

I hoped they’re more in on Cuban OF Jorge Soler who isn’t getting the same kind of attention, but many feel like he could be a bigger talent.

Fact is, this is an incredible risk that ATL can’t afford to take this season – maybe next. Remember the last time we signed an international free agent to a MLB deal? A: Kenshin Kawakami. Not pretty. Yes, Cespedes and Soler are a different situation, but Cespedes will reportedly get $45-$50M. That’s insane for someone who doesn’t project to be in the majors for 1-2 years, at least.

Maicer Izturis would be a good pickup for the Braves, but I don’t see a match (assuming the Angels’ rotation is now set). Of the 2 trade chips the Braves are presumably dangling, only Prado makes some sense and his numbers from last year wouldn’t be an upgrade to Callaspo’s. I’d like for the Braves to make a run at Morales and Izturis (assuming the former is healthy and can play LF), but don’t see the matchup. In fact, after their shopping spree, I assume the only thing the Angels need is salary relief, of which the Braves cannot provide.

The Braves can afford to lose a starter, and need OF’ers , so it’s worth the risk. Also, I have signability concerns on Hanson in Atlanta that the Angels likely wouldn’t have (I think he grew up an Angels fan, like Freeman)

What? Hanson is a young ace with four years of team control. You want to trade him for a back-up infielder, a 1B who has been injured for almost two years and a prospect? Unless the prospect is Mike Trout (and it won’t be) that is flat out nuts.

A young “ace” who I think is overrated, has shown some signability issues/dislike of things in ATL, and has some potential injury issues. I’d predict at best Hanson would be the 3rd or 4th best starter in ATL this year.

The 1B has shown signs of being an elite bat before injury, just like a Chipper Jones, the back-up infielder fits needs perfectly, and by prospect I mean someone good, not filler.

Morales is a hard fit, this year he’d be in a Hinske-ish role (backup 1B/LF and top PH). Afterwards, when Chipper retires, Prado moves to 3B, and one of Freeman/Morales moves to LF, which would depend on Morales’s health.

He’s a potential Chipper Jones-esque bat in my eyes though, which is why I’d make him fit somehow- he’s worth the risk, especially since Hanson has two replacements already (Beachy and Teheran). JJ I’d sign long-term after Hudson leaves with Hudson’s money. Minor/Delgado/Medlen would fill out the backend.

I love what Prado means to this team, but where is our power coming from if Prado goes to 3B if we re-sign Bourn (CF) and Pastornicky is at SS? Uggla constantly projects more HRs for his position, but nearly everyone else is below other than McCann and maybe Heyward/Freeman. If Prado moves to 3B we have to got to get a Josh Hamilton for LF…and I highly doubt we will do that, whether we can or not.

Trade speculation is fun. Aside from that, I really dont think Morales could ever be as good as Chipper, who is a clear Hall of Famer. I know Kendrys is a nice switch hitter with power, but hes also a slow 1B coming off two consecutive injuries. He wont be in the outfield, and niether will Freddie Freeman (future GG 1B). Also, he is older than someone I would project to come back and have as productive of a career as Chipper Jones. Its not even comparable. Chipper still carries this team on his broken legs.

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff…sigh. I know your dislike of Hanson, but please reference Gonzalez and Latos’ most recent trades. Now, you’re willing to take presumably Kendry Morales – someone that hasn’t played in 2 years and some question if he’ll ever come back again, let alone be as good, for a position he’s never played before – a utility infielder (Izturis) with some upside, and a less than shiny prospect?!

SDG got 3 shiny new prospects that project to be starters soon and a proven SP with some injury issues (Volquez) who I’d see as comparable to Kendry Morales.

Even if Hanson is, by your estimates, the 3rd or 4th best SP this season, he’d still be a #2 on NYY/BOS or most every other MLB team without farm full of arms. Fact is, I’D TAKE HIM BEING THE 3RD OR 4TH BEST SP IN 2012 IF HE STAYS HEALTHY. Remember, he’s still under $1 million, so just hope the guy can take a step forward and piece together a great full season.

It’s possible I’m overestimating Morales- but I see him as a guy with real potential to be a Beltran-caliber bat on the cheap. Izturis will be great insurance in case of Chipper injury issues and/or the SS prospects not working out. (Simmons isn’t a sure thing).

The key is improving the team, and Hanson will get expensive fast with guys like Beachy/Teheran in the wings. You gotta look for guys who will take less but provide great value for that buck.

I see JJ as a guy who will provide that great value, as his value is low due to injuries that are correctable/freakish to me. Hanson I can see ending up overvalued.

What I can’t understand in your scenario is that you’re willing to let Hanson go presumably without seeing some of his best stuff. You really think that what we’ve seen from him is his best? And even if it was, considering he spent the last part of the season injured, we’d be selling low even if we traded him.

With how many star arms we have we haven’t fully benefited from them. How so? We haven’t traded any star arms for anyone and we haven’t had enough time to really see if our stars can be consistent MLB starters and have the same success at the MLB level. To me, Hanson is the next step after Hudson, not Jurrjens. And after Hanson, there’s a lot of guys developing, but to think of feeling confident enough in any of their abilities to be willing to trade Hanson at this point is ridiculous, especially considering Jurrjens just might leave during free agency and Prado isn’t exactly what we need in LF (power, speed).

Regardless of what you think of Hanson, he would net a huge return on the trade market if he was made available. The Braves could get a top prospect along with several very good prospects, trading him for Izturis and Morales would basically be giving him away.

Varvaro isn’t good enough value I think. He’s a back-end reliever, though a decent one. Those aren’t that valuable. Angels would probably ask for Medlen or C-Mart realistically if they wanted a reliever.

I don’t see that. C-Mart is one of the best long relievers in baseball, and I think he could handle a setup role if pressed. Really versatile. Medlen could be a #3 starter, but won’t get the chance in Atlanta barring a ton of injuries/trades. He could fill EOF or Venters role if one of the big 3 relievers gets hurt with little dropoff. He’s the Prado of pitchers.

Yes the Angels rotation is set, yes it’s absolutely filthy, but if Jerome Williams doesn’t work out or somebody goes down they really don’t have a reliable backup plan. Izturis, Aybar, Trumbo, Bourjos, and Trout(heh) must hold different amounts of interest to the Braves granted what they’ve been searching for this offseason.

Tumbo would be ideal in my eyes if he weren’t injured as he has LF and 3B experience while giving the Braves some serious power potential. Bourjos would fill the need for a LF/adequate Bourn replacement but I know these are more of dreams, Izturis would be a decent pickup with awesome defensive credentials.

The Braves aren’t going to deal one of their big 4 or JJ for Izturis though which would give the Angels that sure thing, which makes me think if the Halos take an interest in one of our kids they may just be willing to go all the way on Wren’s requests.

Nonetheless, Weaver/Wilson/Haren/Jurrjens/Santana. Scary scary if that was to happen.

I don’t know how Halo fans view the guy, but I really like Bourjos and the Braves are/were in the hunt for a center-fielder in the event Bourn walks(which is likely). I understand the Angels want to hold onto him and give Trout a little more time at AAA until that crowded outfield sorts itself, but I’d take him for Jurrjens(or Minor or Vizcaino) and a mid-tier prospect. Not sure how realistic that is though because I have no idea how the Angels front-office views players with his skill set. I imagine it would take a bit more…

I don’t want Trumbo unless he could be had for a couple of mid-tier prospects. He’s cheap power, but he’d be a downgrade defensively in LF and the last thing the Braves need is another sub-.300 OBP and 120+ strike out player. Nothing against Trumbo, he could get better but he’s not what this team needs. They have enough power, they need to focus on defense and getting on base while keeping their talented young pitching intact. They should have around $20-30M freed-up this upcoming off season, I pray Wren doesn’t give in and ship these young arms out for guys like Adam Jones and Mark Trumbo.

I will say this though, Izturis has probably been the only name they’ve been linked to this off season that I’ve liked. Seth Smith, Adam Jones, Michael Cuddyer, etc. They’ve been linked to players who either aren’t fits or players that they don’t particularly need given the power they already have.

The O’s asking price for a mediocre CF is the problem. Adam Jones doesnt provide the Braves an upgrade over Martin Prado alone. Jones isnt good defensively in CF and he doesnt carry the bat for LF. He’s never posted a 4 WAR season and he’s never posted an .800OPS. No way the Braves should consider Prado, Jurrjens, + prospect for him.

the orioles do want a kings ransom for him…i thought maybe jurrjens,prado for jones straight up would be ok….now with jones he has to be coached up a little,as he has a tendency to gamble alot defense wise…..plus he plays for an awful team which makes him think he can do that type of stuff…put him with Atlanta, i think he would become a very viable player with a winning team…..

Jurrjens and a mid-tier prospect for Jones would be a fair trade for both teams. The Orioles could build JJ’s value next season and trade him at the all-star break for a boatload of prospects. Since Prado is a better hitter than Jones I would not include him in any deal for him.

The Orioles seem to think Jones is an established star. He isn’t. So far he is a good player who isn’t anything special.

Yes the Angels rotation is set, yes it’s absolutely filthy, but if Jerome Williams doesn’t work out or somebody goes down they really don’t have a reliable backup plan. Izturis, Aybar, Trumbo, Bourjos, and Trout(heh) must hold different amounts of interest to the Braves granted what they’ve been searching for this offseason.

Tumbo would be ideal in my eyes if he weren’t injured as he has LF and 3B experience while giving the Braves some serious power potential. Bourjos would fill the need for a LF/adequate Bourn replacement but I know these are more of dreams, Izturis would be a decent pickup with awesome defensive credentials.

The Braves aren’t going to deal one of their big 4 or JJ for Izturis though which would give the Angels that sure thing, which makes me think if the Halos take an interest in one of our kids they may just be willing to go all the way on Wren’s requests.

Nonetheless, Weaver/Wilson/Haren/Jurrjens/Santana. Scary scary if that was to happen.

Yes the Angels rotation is set, yes it’s absolutely filthy, but if Jerome Williams doesn’t work out or somebody goes down they really don’t have a reliable backup plan. Izturis, Aybar, Trumbo, Bourjos, and Trout(heh) must hold different amounts of interest to the Braves granted what they’ve been searching for this offseason.

Tumbo would be ideal in my eyes if he weren’t injured as he has LF and 3B experience while giving the Braves some serious power potential. Bourjos would fill the need for a LF/adequate Bourn replacement but I know these are more of dreams, Izturis would be a decent pickup with awesome defensive credentials.

The Braves aren’t going to deal one of their big 4 or JJ for Izturis though which would give the Angels that sure thing, which makes me think if the Halos take an interest in one of our kids they may just be willing to go all the way on Wren’s requests.

Nonetheless, Weaver/Wilson/Haren/Jurrjens/Santana. Scary scary if that was to happen.

Ugh…I feel the same way . It’s nice to have a team that really doesn’t have any holes to fill and only one question mark (SS) going into spring training . But it still would be nice to see an improvement somewhere . Although , it would have to be a sure improvement over what we already have . The one guy I would like for us to make a play on would be for Nelson Cruz . I would be willing to give one of the big four for him . I would rather us keep Teheran and Viz . But would be willing to give either Minor or Delgado to get him .

Cruz would be a nice piece but if they’re dealing one or more of the young pitchers, I’d like to see more of a return. Cruz hasn’t played more than 128 games in his career and is 30 now. Health probably isn’t going to get any better.

I think Wren has the issue of every team demanding Teheran or Delgado or Vizcaino or Minor or Beachy regardless of who he’s checking in on. Duquette’s demands for Jones were pretty funny.

Can either one of Trumbo or Morales play third ? I know Iztarus can . But if the other 2 can , then maybe one of them could be a fit . If not , then the Braves have 3 different options . 1) Use the $$ from Chipper’s salary to sign someone to play 3rd after this next season (if he retires) . 2) Hope that Joey Terdoslivich progresses nicely and can be ready to take Chipper’s spot for when he does retire . 3) Keep Prado and hope he develops a touch more power to silence the critics .

Wren will be going young in 2012, we dont have any money to contend this year, i think bourn,JJ,Hanson,prado,diaz,hinske will all be gone by the all star break, and chipper and hudson gone at the end of this season, without money, wren is going to wait out management, to see if liberty sells in 2012 or early 2013. Of course wren will be gone also, maybe freddi.

I’d be open to Izturis if it doesn’t cost us much more than a middle/low prospect out of AA/AAA (lower level if AAA) simply because he’s just a utility man. Not great at much of anything, but decent overall. Good OBP though, so maybe a middle level would be suffice.

How about Randal Delgado and Tyler Pastornicky for Erick Aybar (he’s in his prime, capable of a 290/12/65/35SB/90ish runs…He can play very good SS and 3b and even 2b if needed. We’d haveto give up one of the big four but it’d be worth it. Aybar only makes 4 mill this year and his salary over the next couple seasons is very fesable given our roster and payroll situation. What do you all think. And this is NOT insulting to either side. To get talent you have to GIVE it.

Wren and Co. will not play to contend this year, we will shed payroll with the likes of bourn,prado,JJ,Hanson,diaz,Hinske, chipper and hudson all gone by the all star break or in the winter, 2012 will be used to get the young pitchers alot of innings and getting heyward and freeman another year under their belts. 2013 will be our make or break year. Atlanta is a franchise that needs money to survive, look for liberty to sell after the 2012 season or sooner.

Spruill’s a starter and their top non-elite prospect, currently in AA. Projects as a workhorse #2-#3 type guy. Hoover was just converted to a reliever because of the glut of starters- he was blocked. Converting him back is doable, would have #3 potential or be a very good reliever. Would likely be in ATL as a reliever at some point next year, would be likely to start the season in AAA.

you are right about bourjos….nats asked about him and according to rizzo, the asking price was very high, meaning he isn’t going anywhere….anaheim was right to do so, as the nats are certainly desperate for a younger cf’r, the angels aren’t gonna give him away…..if anaheim trades anyone, it would be trumbo but i don’t see him leaving either….anaheim has what alot of teams are envious of….an embarassment of riches of bats and pitching..why give it up????

Seems a bit much for Izturis. Guy is getting $3.8M in ’12 and unless LAA takes on part of that, I’m not sure we can afford him. Plus, would he be our utility and/or reliable SS that provides depth with Pastornicky? He’s good, but I can’t see us giving up Spruill/Hoover and possibly someone else for maybe 1 year of a utility guy.

Izturis is an outstanding hitter always around .300 lots of doubles and few Hr’s mixed in his only problem is he wears down seems to be injury prone. I would miss having him on the Angels team though he has been a great utility man for us playing well at 2nd short and 3rd. He is a clutch hitter with men in scoring position.

As Shu_13 stated not until they know Morales is healed and back to his self, and if the Angels try him at 3rd and it works out in spring and early regular season he could stay at 3rd. If not he may be moved after the All-Star break.